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Why I decided to start donating..In May 2017, I donated 32 chemo care bags to Anne Arundel Medical Center in hopes that they would bring a little sunshine to someone going through what I had just experienced. On November 30, 2016, at age 34, I was diagnosed with stage 2A, invasive ductal carcinoma breast cancer. I spent all of 2017 fighting the good fight; 3 surgeries, chemotherapy, and a 4-day hospital stay due to an infection in my right “breast” incision. I decided during chemotherapy that I wanted to give back in some way to those fighting cancer. I fund-raise, people generously contribute, and every May and December I would drop off between 30-40 chemo care bags. Often times we find inspiration in our lives as the motivation for doing. It didn't just take cancer touching my family for me to feel compelled to give back. long before I was even married (2014), my aunt Genia, "aunt" (bonus family is the best kind of family) Sally and "aunt" Alice were all touched by cancer. Unfortunately, Aunt Genia and Aunt Sally's metastasized. Aunt Genia's started as lung cancer. During her fight she truly embraced life to the fullest with her family. She lost her fight on March 16, 2011. She is greatly missed by all and will never be forgotten. Aunt Sally's cancer originated as breast cancer. She fought cancer long and hard, you'd never know she was in pain. She became a huge advocate for #Metavivor waging the war on stage IV. I'll never forget her determination but she promised to attend our wedding on March 1, 2014, she made good on that promise, because she is a total bad ass... might I add, she looked absolutely stunning! Let's talk about inspirational... It broke our hearts when she left this world just 9 days later and she will forever be my inspiration to fight advocate for others and give back to those fighting this fight! This mission, which started out as a good deed, has truly become my passion! Rather than just dropping bags off at AAMC, I directly contact the oncology social workers and vice versa. They let me know when they are in need of bags. I drop off between 15-20 at a time as requested. Therefore, the need for donations is greater. The more bags we make, the more lives we touch. This past December, a young lady received one of the bags donated to AAMC and she began to cry. She said, “this is most likely the only gift I will be receiving during the holidays”. That right there is just one of the many reasons I do what I do. Through this journey of mine I have met and connected with some truly remarkable, STRONG, women and men...WARRIORS! When I think of complaining (which we all do it) I remember their fight...I remember the taken, I remember the families, I remember the struggles, the smiles, the strength, the laughter, the memories. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without the generosity and kindness of family, friends, companies and often times complete strangers. I have met some of the most giving people through this project who are now dear friends. I have been truly blessed and I want to pass those same blessings on one bag at a time. #NoOneFightsAlone All funds raised cover the purchase of bags, items that have not been donated, shipping supplies and shipping costs for requested chemo bags for a loved ones and fees to apply and maintain non-profit status and this website/domain. I would be most grateful not only for your contribution but the consideration from your friends, family, and Church groups by sharing this opportunity with them. I have included further information below. You can find more information, pictures, testimonies from recipients and more here: https://www.facebook.com/comfychemocarebags/ Be sure to LIKE and SHARE my page with friends and family who may be interested in contributing to my project. Follow me on Instagram @chemocarebagproject and on Twitter @chemocarebags as well. Ways to contribute🧡 Paypal: CLICK HERE TO DONATE Venmo: @ChemoCareBags (business) CashApp: $shanmcnorris Amazon Wishlist: https://bit.ly/chemobagwishlist Amazon wish list (items will be shipped directly to me unless otherwise designated) - Please add a gift receipt with your name so I know who to thank! Contact me with questions, [email protected] Items to consider: (men & women) I try my best to provide natural/organic products when possible
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My Warrior Wall...My Why!
Mustang Sally - Bad Ass MBC WARRIOR and inspiration to all. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you. You are missed and loved by all. You inspire me to continue the fight and fight for others. I will never give up! Keep watching over us. Love you #Metavivor
My Warrior, My Angel, My Soul Sister, My Breastie. Not a day passes that you don't occupy my mind. I miss you deep in my soul. Thank you for your fight, your grit, your love and your light. You left an everlasting imprint on this world. We will continue from here! Love you endlessly. #LoveAndLight □□□ #StageIVNeedsMORE
Aunt Genia - She loved the sun on her face, she loved her family, she loved to laugh. She fought long and hard and is missed every day by those she loved.
TJ - kidney cancer fighter & survivor, Mustang Sally’s beautiful sister. TJ is a wonderful mother, wife, friend, and nonni. She proves that no one fights alone. Love you Momma Fletch.
10th Class is the BEST class!!! Every single woman in this picture has/is fighting cancer. From early stage to stage IV, lumpectomies, single mastectomies, radical double mastectomies, hysterectomies and all. We have been battered and beaten, poked and pradded but we stand here, proudly, learning and advocating for all women and men facing a breast cancer diagnosis. Warriors, fighters, badass women! We are a force to be reckoned with. I am a better person for knowing them! #SisterhoodoftheTravelingFoobs #10thClassisTheBESTClass
Rest easy Chawnte' & Julia WE love you!
Our dear friend Melanie passed away from metastatic breast cancer. She asked us to donate to Metavivor. Please donate if you can. Any amount helps!
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the US and 1 in 3 of those will become metastatic. African American women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than Caucasian women.
One hundred percent of all donations made to METAvivor go directly to fund grant awards for metastatic breast cancer research (unless the donor designates otherwise)
https://donate.metavivor.org/fundraiser/3208280
My girl Chawnte'.. we met at Living Beyond Breast Cancer's Young Women's Advocacy Training in Philly. I remember standing by her and her saying "Shan, I knew I liked you" after I said I was from P.G. County. lol. She said, "you're funny as hell." She fought Triple Negative Breast Cancer as an early diagnosis and then MBC or Metastatic Breast Cancer with everything she had. She advocated, used her voice, and shouted it from the roof tops, "Stage IV Needs MORE!" We must do better, we cannot lose anymore warriors to this disease! Chawnte' passed away on November 12, 2020. Please consider making a donation to Metavivor for MBC research and support. Click on Chawnte's picture to access her Metavivor page!
This beauty right here, Julia Wise. Diagnosed Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer in her early 20's. She dedicated her life to nursing, helping others, while fighting for her own life. She left us much too soon. Rest easy sweet Julia.
My Renee.. We didn't get enough time but I will forever cherish the moments we did have. I will forever text your mom the middle finger emoji in your honor. I am blessed to know her! Miss you my friend.... Keep watching over me!
My Cancer Tribe - Warriors! All cancers, all stages, many journey's, but we are there for each other, we just get it! Thankful for them - Their fight is my fight, no one fights alone!
Nana Faye Clark has been kicking cancers butt since she was 26 years old, 5 different times. She is a warrior!!! Sadly, nana was called home to heaven on September 11, 2019. You will forever live on in our hearts and your bright light in this world will never be forgotten. Every time I drink red wine Nane Faye, you are not far from my mind. Love you!
Stephanie Easter's husband and mine both work for PGPD. When I heard of Stephanie's cancer returning, I sent her a chemo care bag. I wanted her to know she had others thinking of her. We finally met in person at an Ulman, Where Young Adults meet gathering. Though I didn't get much time getting to know you, I see through your family and friends what an incredible woman you are. Cancer is such an unfair and unforgiving disease. She fought her battle so hard and she was so exhausted that God knew it was time for her to rest. I will continue to pray for her, Jeremy, their beautiful little girls and all whose lives she touched. Rest easy my friend.
Melissa - such amazing woman and friend who has the biggest heart! She fought ovarian cancer and kicked its butt head on. Luckily they caught it early! Melissa is a warrior and a true friend.
BC warriors, from strangers to close friends. I don't know what I would do without these ladies. Katrina, Suzi, and Erin, I thank God for you everyday!
Aunt Alice kicked breast cancers butt. She is always loving life! Thank you for being an inspiration and for showing us all how to be a warrior. Love you Aunt Alice!
Meemaw Betty Highsmith (Aunt Alice's momma - see above) fought Lupus as well as Pancreatic cancer. She knew how to keep us kids in line but she loved beyond measure. You are missed every day meemaw. You were one of the strongest women I ever have known.
Dianne - one of the strongest fighters & MBC advocates I know. You were there for me during my diagnosis and I am so thankful for you. You continue to inspire me every single day!. You are missed and loved. Never forgotten #Metavivor
"get through this crazy, beautiful thing we call life you have to smile! Even when you are having a bad day smile even if it is just for a few seconds I bet it will make you feel a little happier!" - Dianne
Chrissy - Ovarian Cancer Warrior - I was so blessed you reached out to me with our cancer connection. I enjoyed getting to know you but I am mad you had to leave me so soon. You were a bright light in this world.
"I can share with everyone that with any struggle, try not to focus on how far you have to go, but reflect on how far you've come. Life isn't fair, but you have to make the best of it. Accept your wrong doings and grow from them. Cut the negativity, life's too short. It can always be worse. Most importantly, surround yourselves with the ones that care about you. " - Chrissy #ChrissyBobbStrong #OvarianCancerWarrior
Kara - My silent fighter. She is beautiful inside and out. Kara fights CML which is Chronic Myeloid Lukemia. It is a very rare form of cancer in someone so young. Keep kicking ass warrior friend!! Love you!
Ms. Annette - long time MBC warrior. You had the most kind heart and I never saw you without a smile on your face. Continue watching over your beautiful family and know that you will never be forgotten. #Metavivor
Uncle Charlie - has been fighting the good fight against Non Hodgkins Lymphona (NHL) He is a bad ass warrior! Love you Uncle Charlie! xo
Uncle George - MDS, Myelodysplastic Syndromes. You truly fought for your life. Thankful to God that you are here and healthy! Love you
Justice -My littlest cancer warrior - You taught us adults how to be strong. You fought against childhood cancer like a superhero. You left this world and your family much too soon but your bright light burns forever in our hearts. #TeamJustice ❤#HelpEndChildhoodCancer
Colleen - fought colon cancer and won! Colleen totally loves life & family and will give you the shirt off her back. I’m blessed to know you sister.
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